Vacuum Cleaner buying guide
Last updated: 4 August 2026
This Vacuum buying guide helps you choose the right cleaner for your floors, home size and budget. Start with your floor type and layout to decide between a Stick Vacuum, Robot Vacuum, Upright Vacuum or Carpet Cleaner, then narrow down by suction power, run time and bin capacity based on how much cleaning you need to do. Finally, check filtration (HEPA for allergy sufferers), pet-hair performance and smart features like self-emptying docks and app control.
This guide is perfect for first-time Vacuum buyers, pet owners, allergy sufferers, families with kids and anyone upgrading to Cordless or Robotic Cleaning.
In this guide
Learn which Vacuum type suits your home, from lightweight Stick Vacs to hands-free Robot Vacuums, powerful Uprights and Carpet Cleaners. Jump to >
Learn about the four latest technologies in Vacuums: HEPA, AI mapping, laser sensors and display screens. Jump to >
Check out the glossary and top frequently asked questions. Jump to >
What type of Vacuum do you need?
This is the biggest decision. The main Vacuum types clean your floors differently and suit different homes. For most households, the best Vacuum is the one that fits your floor plan, suits how you clean and balances upfront price with the day-to-day convenience you'll notice every time you use it.
Choose a Stick Vacuum if you want a lightweight, cordless option for quick daily clean-ups and don't want the hassle of dragging a unit from room to room. Choose a Robot Vacuum if you want hands-free cleaning that runs on a schedule and don't mind handing the job over to sensors and a docking station. Choose an Upright Vacuum if you want strong suction and a bigger bin for larger homes and heavier-duty carpet cleaning in one all-in-one unit. Choose a Barrel Vacuum if you want strong suction and a long reach for multi-level homes and stairs without the bulk of an upright. Choose a Carpet Cleaner if you want to lift deep stains and odours from carpets and upholstery rather than just surface dirt and dust. Choose a Pet Vacuum if you want HEPA filtration and brush heads built to pull fur out of carpet and upholstery. Choose a Handheld Vacuum if you want a quick, portable option for the car, stairs and small spills rather than whole-home cleaning. Choose a Wet & Dry Vacuum if you want to tackle spills and debris in the garage or workshop rather than everyday household dust and dirt.
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Powered by a battery, can be recharged at a charging station, sleek and lightweight.
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The ultimate home helper for the time poor or those who would rather do anything but clean!
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Featuring an upright design but a larger bin and motor than a Stick Vac.
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Strong suction and a long reach for multi-level homes and stairs, without much bulk.
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A combination of powerful scrubbing and vacuum suction, no stain will stand a match.
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Usually include a sizeable bag or bin, HEPA filter, and brush heads designed to release fur.
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For smaller clean-up jobs, a Handheld Vacuum is quick and easy to use.
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A Wet & Dry Vacuum picks up both liquid spills and solid debris for the ultimate convenience.
Quick decision guide
Small space, need it fast → Stick Vacuum
Hands-free, hate vacuuming → Robot Vacuum
Big home, mostly carpet → Upright Vacuum
Multi-level home, stairs → Barrel Vacuum
Deep stains and odours → Carpet Cleaner
Pets and allergies → HEPA filter + Pet Vacuum
Car, stairs, quick spills → Handheld Vacuum
Handles both wet spills and dry mess → Wet & Dry Vacuum
Vacuum types compared
Vacuum type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Stick Vacuum | No set-up, grab and go. Lightweight and easy to store. Great for quick daily clean-ups. | Smaller bin, needs frequent emptying. Battery runtime limits bigger jobs. Less suction than uprights. | Small to medium homes. Hard floors with occasional carpet. Quick, spontaneous cleaning. |
Robot Vacuum | Hands-free, fully automated. Can be scheduled and voice-controlled. Sensor mapping avoids furniture and stairs. | Higher upfront cost. Struggles with thick carpet and clutter. Needs manual or dock-based emptying. | Time-poor households. Mostly hard floors. Homes wanting set-and-forget cleaning. |
Upright Vacuum | Powerful motor for deep cleans. Larger bin, fewer stops. All-in-one design, no separate wand. | Heavier and bulkier to store. Slower to manoeuvre around furniture. Less nimble than stick vacs. | Larger homes. Mostly carpeted spaces. Bigger, less frequent cleaning sessions. |
Barrel Vacuum | Strong, consistent suction. Long cord and hose for extended reach. Compact body, easy to store upright. | Hose and cord can tangle. Less manoeuvrable than a stick vac. Needs to be pulled along while cleaning. | Multi-level homes and stairs. Mixed flooring throughout the home. Whole-home cleaning without upright bulk. |
Carpet Cleaner | Removes deep stains and odours. Extends carpet lifespan. Combines suction, scrubbing and solution. | Bulkier and heavier to use. Requires water/solution refills. Not for everyday quick cleans. | Homes with kids or pets. Frequent hosting or high foot traffic. Stain and odour removal. |
Handheld Vacuum | Compact and portable. Perfect for spot cleaning. Easy one-hand use. | Small bin capacity. Limited runtime and suction. Not suited to whole-home cleaning. | Car interiors. Stairs and upholstery. Quick spills and crumbs. |
Wet & Dry Vacuum | Picks up liquid spills and solid debris. Heavy-duty motor for tough messes. Large tank for bigger jobs. | Bulky and heavier to store. Not designed for everyday carpet or floor cleaning. Overkill for light household use. | Garages and workshops. Renovation or spill clean-ups. Heavy-duty, non-household messes. |
What Vacuum type suits your home?
Home size plays a big role in which Vacuum will actually keep up with your cleaning routine. A Vacuum that's perfect for a one-bedroom apartment can feel underpowered in a four-bedroom family home, while an oversized upright can be overkill (and awkward to store) in a small space. Matching your Vacuum to your floor area helps you get the runtime, bin capacity and manoeuvrability you need without paying for capacity you'll never use.
Large or open-plan living areas
A Robot Vacuum with strong mapping technology can cover expansive floor space efficiently, while an Upright Vacuum gives you the suction power needed for wide, high-traffic zones.
4+ bedroom family home
An Upright Vacuum or a high-capacity Stick Vacuum is the better fit. Larger floor plans need stronger suction and a bigger bin to get through the whole home in one go, especially if there's plenty of carpet to cover.
2-3 bedroom home or townhouse
A Stick Vacuum with strong runtime, or a Robot Vacuum for everyday upkeep, works well here. If you have a mix of carpet and hard flooring across multiple rooms, look for a model with a larger bin so you're not stopping to empty it mid-clean.
Studio or 1-bedroom apartment
A Stick Vacuum or Handheld is usually enough. With less floor area to cover, you don't need a huge battery runtime or bin capacity, and a lightweight, easy-to-store option suits smaller living spaces best.
“The ultimate home helper for the time poor or those who would rather do anything but clean floors, Robot Vacuums are a dream come true.”
- Nick Trajkovski, The Good Guys Microwaves and Floorcare Buyer
The top 6 asked questions
Explore our articles and buying guides — written to answer the questions our customers ask most.
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The best Pet Vacuum Cleaners to buy
Updated 29 April 2026 · 4 mins readThere is nothing more annoying than allergies. The bad news is allergy sufferers are all too familiar with pet hair flaring up their symptoms at home. The good news? Creating an allergy friendly home may be more achievable than you think. Below are features to look out for to ensure your next vacuum is powerful enough to suck up any debris - even pet hair.
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Breathe easy: 5 best Vacuums for allergy sufferers
Updated 3 July 2026 · 3 mins readFrom traditional barrel vacs and upright models, to the latest stick designs (and ones specifically built for pets!), we’ve sourced the best vacuums to nix those nasties from floors, couches, rugs and curtains. Say goodbye to sneezing spells and hello to a healthier, happier home life!
Key features to look for
Once you've settled on type, these are the features worth paying attention to:
Feature | Why you should look for it |
|---|---|
HEPA filter | Traps tiny particles and irritants by forcing air through a fine mesh, capturing up to 99% of allergens. Essential if anyone in the home suffers from allergies, asthma or dust sensitivity, without one, Vacuums can blow these particles straight back into the air. |
AI mapping | Lets Robot Vacuums detect and remember your home's layout, navigating around furniture and obstacles automatically. Pair with a mopping function for an even more complete clean with less effort. |
Display screen (LCD/LED) | Shows real-time cleaning feedback so you can confirm debris has actually been picked up, giving extra peace of mind on a thorough clean. |
Infrared or laser sensors | Detects dust and dirt that isn't visible to the eye, helping Robot and Stick Vacuums target areas you might otherwise miss. |
Self-emptying dock | Automatically deposits collected dust and debris into a larger bin at the docking station, cutting down how often you need to manually empty the Vacuum. |
Washable or replaceable filters | Keeps suction performance consistent over time. Some filters can be rinsed in cold water, while others need replacing roughly once a year — worth checking before you buy. |
Detachable bin design | Makes emptying quick and mess-free, especially important on Stick Vacuums with smaller bins that need clearing more regularly. |
Carpet height selector | Helps Upright Vacuums adjust to thick pile carpets for a deeper, more thorough clean, rather than skating over the surface. |
Suit your floor type | • Stick Vacuums: Best suited to hard floors, though they can give carpets a solid freshen up. For a thorough carpet clean, pair your stick vac with a barrel or upright vac. • Upright Vacuums: Suitable for both hard floors and carpet, and can also be used on upholstery. • Robot Vacuums: Work best on hard floors, with the ability to give carpets a light clean too. |
Maintenance tips & tricks
Depending on the type of Vacuum, there are some key maintenance habits worth building in to keep it working in top shape. Stick Vacuums, thanks to their smaller bin size they are quick and easy to clean. Simply remove the bin and empty it into your main rubbish bin or compost, then clear dirt and hair from the brush roller and head, and give the filters an occasional clean. For Robot Vacuums some models need to be emptied manually, while others automatically deposit dust and debris into a larger bin at the docking station, reducing your workload and how often you need to step in.
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5 steps to a perfect floor show with a Shark Vacuum
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Vacuum Cleaner glossary
We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.
Tech talk | Definition |
|---|---|
Allergen | A substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Common allergens include pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mould. |
Air flow | The force exerted by the moving air which picks up the dirt and moves it into the dustbin. This is one of the most important factors to determine the efficacy of a Vacuum Cleaner. |
Bagless | All Cordless Vacuum Cleaners are bagless, so that dirt is trapped inside a canister and emptied into a bin. It saves the user from having to replace the bags. |
Battery Management System (BMS) | A BMS is an electronic regulator that monitors and controls the charging and discharging of rechargeable batteries. |
Capacity | The capacity - or size - of a Vacuum Cleaner determines how much dust it can hold, which is measured in litres. Cordless Vacuum Cleaners typically have capacities between 0.3 to just over 1 litre. |
HEPA | High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is an efficiency specification for filters developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II to remove radioactive dust from plant exhausts without redistribution. The original specification required that the filter must be capable of capturing 99.97% of all particles as small as 0.3µm in size from the air which flows through it. In Europe, it is more common to refer to the same filter as an S-Class. The phrase is as small as means that if all particles were that small, it would still have that efficiency. Just for reference, a particle of 10 microns is invisible to the naked eye. Pollen ranges between 5-100 microns and human hair between 70-100 microns. |
Microns (µ) | The measurement that is used in Vacuum Cleaners. The millionth part of a meter. To put this into perspective, the diameter of a human hair is typically 80 to 100 microns. The term is often used in describing the sizes of particles retained by air and water filters and for specifying particle sizes for the HEPA filtration specifications. |
Voltage | Voltage reflects the electrical potential employed by a motor. Typically, most motors can operate using common household current, which is 240 volts in Europe. |
Watts | Wattage is referred to as the power that is pushed into the vacuum motor. The higher the wattage is, the more power and output from the appliance. |
FAQs
The main types are Stick, Robot, Carpet Cleaners, Upright, Barrel, Pet, and Handheld Vacuums. Each suits different cleaning needs, floor types, and lifestyles, so consider your space and budget before choosing.
Upright Vacuums suit carpet and hard floors, and a carpet height selector helps reach deep into thick pile. For a thorough clean, team a Stick Vac with a Barrel or Upright, as Stick Vacs are best suited to hard floors.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters trap tiny particles and irritants by forcing air through a fine mesh — ideal for allergy, asthma or dust sensitivity. They trap up to 99 per cent of allergen particles, preventing them being blown back into the air.
They are worth considering if you want to reduce the effort of regular vacuuming, as they run automatically while you are at work and help prevent build-up of dust and debris. The latest models offer strong suction and even a mopping function.
Cordless Vacuums offer greater freedom of movement but are slightly heavier due to the battery, which must be charged before use. A Corded model provides consistent power through a larger cleaning session without running out of charge.
It depends on your priorities. Bagless models are lighter, compact, and easy to empty for everyday convenience. Bagged Vacuums, particularly with HEPA filtration, are better for allergy sufferers who want dust fully contained.
Check the battery runtime will cover the size of your home. Other useful features include a detachable Handheld unit for small jobs, a turbo mode for stronger suction, a wall dock, and attachments for the car, furniture and hard-to-reach places.
Stick Vacs are best suited to Hard Floors but can freshen up carpets. Upright Vacuums suit both hard floors and carpet, and can also clean upholstery. Robot Vacuums work best on hard floors and can give carpets a light clean.
Shopping for the right vacuum for you and your home can be a drain. With so many options from bagged to cordless, upright or barrel - it's often hard to know where to start. The Good Guys have incredible vacuums from high tech stick vacs to next-level convenience with Robot Vacs that will vacuum and mop your floors! Why not check out our customers testimonials from our top rated Vacuum Cleaners. These vacs are tried, tested and loved by Australian households and have our tick of approval.
If you dread the chore of vacuum week on week then Robot Vacuums are definitely worth it! Robot Vacuums bring next level convenience, and with growing innovations in suction power and additional tech - its no wonder they are rapidly growing in popularity.They can also work really well to prevent the build up of dust and debris, cutting down your regular vacuuming (even whilst you're at work)! Some of the latest models have suction power that will keep your home completely clean - with some models even offering mopping functions.Shop Robot Vacuums at The Good Guys.
The choice to go for a bagged or bagless vacuum depends on what feature are important to you.If you value having a light, compact machine that is easy and coinvent to move around you should definitely go bagless. Bagless models are growing in popularity due to the their light weight and easy to remove dust bin.On the other hand - if you're an allergy sufferer or someone who wants to ensure all dust is gone, a bagged vacuum featuring HEPA Filtration may be your perfect match.Still not sure? Visit us in-store to talk to a friendly team member or check out our extensive range online.
Cleaning your vacuum is an important part of maintaining your machine - helping it run better. How to clean your vacuum will depend on what kind of vacuum you have, we recommend checking your vacuums manual for more specific tips.